The Societá di Mutuo Soccorso Orsogna (Smso), Astoria, Queens, appointed the new President, Antonio Carlucci, who is preparing a celebration for San Rocco, patron saint of Orsogna, on 16 august in New York. Maria Fosco, from the Calandra Institute, City University New York emphasized the importance of cultural promotion in the Orsognese community, now over 300 members.

A chapel to the Virgin of Fonte Paradiso, near a spring at the edge of an oak forest, is being built by Nicola Carosella and his wife. Ten years ago she was seriously ill in hospital, and had a vision of the Virgin Mary suggesting her to send her husband for water from the spring. After Ms Carosella drank the water, she recovered quickly. Since then dozens of people come to the spring every day.

Presentation of "A History of Women's Writing in Italy", Cambridge University Press, edited by Letizia Panizza and Sharon Wood, at the "Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Edimburgo", special guest Dacia Maraini. Institute Director Dante Marianacci and Italian Consul Giuseppe Zaccagnino also inaugurated a photo exhibition with women's portrait by Cascella, including nudes and women at work in the country and on the seaside of Abruzzo. The exhibition will be open until 25 March.